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As a cycling retailer, Performance® values the outdoors and the environment. For over 25 years, Performance® has made both the health and environmental benefits of cycling affordable for our over 1 million customers. Garry Snook, Founder  
As the nation's largest cycling retailer, Performance Inc. places high importance on environmental stewardship.
We've always used sound environmental practices, such as recycling cardboard, and designing our warehouse with energy-efficient lighting and climate control systems. Our long-standing commitment to the environment is part of our decision to purchase renewable wind energy credits that will offset 100% of the electricity used by our corporate headquarters, Ohio and North Carolina distribution centers, West Virginia call center, and all of our retail stores. Please read the below information for more details about our efforts. You can also find out how to participate and provide suggestions that will improve our progress.
We have purchased renewable energy credits to offset 100% of the electricity used each year in our corporate office, distribution center and all of our stores. This purchase makes Performance Bicycle the first national retailer to offset 100% of its electricity use with clean, renewable energy. Renewable energy credits are produced by wind farms and biomass facilities and allow companies and consumers to offset their electricity use with clean and renewable energy. We purchased renewable energy credits to help clean the air and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. How does it work? It's actually impossible to pipe renewable energy from wind farms directly to our corporate office, distribution center and stores. We drain electricity from the national power grid and use the same mix of energy as everybody else. The difference is that by paying a bit more, we ensure that the electricity we use from the grid gets replaced back to the grid with renewable energy - which makes the energy mix cleaner for everyone. Why do wind power and other sources of renewable energy cost more? The "fuel" is free, but there is still a lot of investment to be made in building wind farm capacity across the U.S. - which makes the current price for wind power a bit more expensive than continuing to burn fossil fuels in plants that were built and paid for long ago. Our investment in renewable energy credits ensures a cheap, clean, inexhaustible source of energy now, and for future generations. How much impact does Performance Bicycle's purchase have? Our purchase will avoid over 7 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution from entering the atmosphere, which is the equivalent to taking 618 cars off the road or planting over 966 acres of trees, according to the EPA. Why is renewable energy so cool?
Our warehouse recycles plastic shrink wrap, pallets and corrugated cardboard. The corrugated cardboard we use for shipping to our customers and stores, as well as the packing paper, is recycled and recyclable. The batteries in the RF scanners used by warehouse personnel are recycled and recycled ribbon is used in warehouse printers. Our MIS Department donates old PCs to charity and sends toner cartridges and ribbons back to vendors to be reused.
We recognize that most of our retail stores were built a while back before many environmental standards had been formally established. But as we construct new retail locations, our goal is to comply with LEED-CI certification requirements wherever feasible.
On the road:
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In our corporate office we recycle office paper, greenbar paper, glossy publications (including old copies of our catalogs), aluminum cans and plastic and glass bottles. The office paper that we use for printers, copiers and fax machines is recycled.
When we built our new warehouse, we made sure that the building was constructed of energy efficient cinderblock and concrete. It features energy efficient lighting, louvers on the wall and ceiling and a timed thermostat.
We established an internal task force, which we call our "Green Team", to constantly review and improve our environmental efforts. The Green Team recently announced a Commuting Incentive Program wherein employees will be recognized and rewarded for taking alternate modes of transportation to work. These include bicycling, walking/running, public transportation and carpooling. Keep an eye out for our recognized commuters.
Fitness and fun aren't the only positive aspects of cycling. Riding your bike instead of driving a motor vehicle reduces the emission of pollutants that are harmful to the environment. Please read the following for more details:
